Paris Jackson is challenging how her late father’s estate is being managed. She has asked a judge to reduce the compensation associated with executor John Branca’s management of the estate. Her filing alleges repeated failures to provide timely and complete financial disclosures.
John Branca faces accusations over estate accounting
According to TMZ, Paris wants Branca’s compensation reduced from 15% to 10% of the estate’s gross entertainment-related income. The requested reduction would apply to 2023, 2024, and subsequent years until a 2026 accounting is filed.
In court documents, Paris accused Branca of “persistent incompetence” over financial statements. She alleges he filed accounting documents late or submitted incomplete information. She also questioned how substantial compensation requests could proceed without basic disclosures being completed.
The filing reportedly references a request involving $109,219,648.27 in compensation for the co-executors and a law firm. Paris described the alleged failures as “intolerable.”
Paris argues that her legal efforts could benefit the estate. Her request seeks greater accountability for how its finances are reported and managed. However, the allegations remain disputed, and the court has not established wrongdoing based on the filing.
A representative for the Michael Jackson estate strongly rejected Paris’ motion. The representative called it “completely without merit” and disputed its factual basis.
According to the representative, the executors waived traditional executor compensation from the beginning of the estate and have never taken that compensation. Instead, the representative said they receive a separate, court-ordered management fee for operating Michael’s business interests. The representative argued that the motion mischaracterized how those payments work.
The estate’s representative also disputed the timing of the accounting complaints. They said the estate had already filed the 2023 and 2024 accountings. They added that the 2025 and 2026 accountings were not yet due.
Earlier this month, Branca submitted an accounting report detailing benefits Paris received. The report stated she received approximately $6.3 million in benefits over the course of the year.
Paris has also previously sought reimbursement for more than $1.1 million in legal bills. The latest filing adds another challenge to the ongoing estate dispute. The court will determine how to address the competing claims over compensation and accounting.
